Perfect plants for those with a brown thumb

Let's turn our thoughts to houseplants. Here are 11 houseplants that will turn those brown thumbs green. These plants will grow regardless of how poorly you care for them.

Cast-iron plant: It is a toughie. It has no equal when it comes to tolerating dim light and neglect. Wet or dry, in sun or shade, it will build your confidence. It has long, slender, leathery, cornlike leaves exceeding 2 feet sprouting from its base. It tolerates the dry atmosphere and warmer temperatures in our homes. Provide good drainage and you'll never have a problem.

Chinese evergreen: It also is indestructible and a must for every brown-thumber. Hotels, malls and offices use it because of its shiny leaves with shades of green and silver spots splattered across them. Leaves may reach up to a foot. It doesn't mind being pot-bound, but hates a soupy wet soil.

Sansevieria: It is a very durable houseplant. You can grow it in a closet during the winter and it comes out thriving next spring. Too much light causes the leaves to turn yellow. It has several interesting leaf variegations. It needs some water, little light and our low humidity to keep it happy. You can kill it if it is overwatered.

Sansevieria also is commonly known as the snake plant because of its transversely striped leaves, and for being able to tolerate so much neglect. "Mother-in-law's tongue" is another name for it, which refers to the plant's tough never-say-die nature and sharp, pointed leaves. Give it half a chance and a nice pot and it shows off for a long time.

Spathiphyllum: It often is overlooked by brown-thumbers. It has long, glossy, dark green oval or elliptical-shaped leaves narrowing to a point. The leaves sit on top of erect leaf stalks rising from the soil. White flowers that are actually callalike spathes (guarded coverings like those found on medieval soldiers' sword handles) sit on slender stems. It blooms just about anytime. They start out pale green and turn creamy white as it opens. Even though it takes low light, it still blooms.

Dracaena: It is gaining popularity for its decorative features and relative indestructibility. It doesn't take much light to satisfy its needs. That is why you find them in casinos. Larger specimens create pleasant scenes and survive when left undisturbed for months. Some varieties come with variegated leaves.

Potho: It is a very popular houseplant frequently mistaken for philodendron, but its ridged, crawling stems set it apart. It grows in water for months and keeps in planters for years. If you give it good, moist humus soil and moderate light, it will frame windows in record time. Potho has apple green, heart-shaped leaves, boldly splashed with creamy spots. If there is only one houseplant in the home, it will most likely be potho.

ROSE PRUNING DEMONSTRATION

The South Valley Rose Society will show you how to prune roses from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Rose Hospital -- Siena Campus, 3001 St. Rose Parkway, in the Healing Garden. The event will feature continuous demonstrations and displays on planting, fertilizing pest problems and displaying roses.

Linn Mills writes a garden column each Sunday. You can reach him at linn.mills@springspreserve.org or call him at 822-7754.